A call to worship helps mark the beginning of a church service and turns the congregation's attention toward God.
It can be as simple as a few sentences from the worship leader, a responsive reading between the leader and congregation, or a short passage of Scripture.
The best calls to worship are usually clear, warm and focused. They do not need to explain the whole service. Their purpose is simply to invite people to set aside distractions, remember why they have gathered and begin worship together.
Here are 50 call to worship examples you can use or adapt for your next church service. For opening prayers, welcome moments, and the rest of the Sunday flow, see our church service planning resources hub. You may also find our 50 opening prayer examples, church welcome speech examples, and 50 benediction examples helpful when shaping the start and end of the service.
What is a call to worship?
A call to worship is an invitation for a congregation to begin worshipping God together.
It is normally used near the start of a Christian worship service, often immediately before the opening song, hymn or prayer.
A call to worship might include:
- •A short welcome
- •A Bible verse
- •Words of praise
- •A responsive reading
- •An invitation to pray
- •A reminder of God's character
- •A connection to the theme of the service
There is no single required format.
Some churches use a traditional Scripture reading. Others prefer something conversational, such as:
"Good morning, church. Whatever kind of week you have had, God has brought us together today. Let us turn our attention to Him and worship together."
Here are 50 more examples.
Short Call to Worship Examples
1. Let us worship
Good morning and welcome. We have gathered today to worship the God who made us, loves us and walks with us. Let us turn our hearts toward Him and worship together.
2. Come as you are
Whatever kind of week you have had, whatever you are carrying and however you feel this morning, you are welcome here. Come as you are and let us worship God together.
3. God is worthy
Our God is faithful, loving and worthy of our praise. Let us set aside the distractions of the week and give Him our attention as we worship together.
4. This is the day
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, be thankful and worship the One who has given it to us.
5. Turn our hearts to God
As we begin our service, let us quiet our minds, open our hearts and turn our attention toward God.
6. Gathered in His name
We have gathered in the name of Jesus. Let us encourage one another, listen for God's voice and worship Him with gratitude.
7. A new morning
God's mercies are new every morning. Whatever yesterday held, today we have another opportunity to praise Him. Let us worship.
8. God is here
We have not simply gathered in the same room. We have gathered as God's people. Let us become aware of His presence and worship Him together.
9. Come with gratitude
Think for a moment about the goodness of God in your life. As we begin, let gratitude become our response. Let us worship Him together.
10. Fix our eyes on Jesus
There are many things competing for our attention. For these next moments, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and give Him our praise.
Scripture-Based Call to Worship Examples
11. Psalm 95 call to worship
Come, let us worship and bow down before the Lord our Maker. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and praise, for He is our God and we are His people.
Based on Psalm 95.
12. Psalm 100 call to worship
Come into God's presence with joy. Serve the Lord gladly, give thanks to Him and praise His name, for the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
Based on Psalm 100.
13. Psalm 118 call to worship
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us give thanks to God for His goodness and faithful love.
Based on Psalm 118:24.
14. Psalm 34 call to worship
Let us praise the Lord together. Let us lift up His name and remember His goodness. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Based on Psalm 34.
15. Psalm 150 call to worship
Praise the Lord. Praise Him for His mighty works and His greatness. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Based on Psalm 150.
16. Psalm 46 call to worship
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Let us be still, remember who He is and worship Him.
Based on Psalm 46.
17. Psalm 103 call to worship
Let all that is within us praise the Lord. Let us remember His goodness, His forgiveness, His compassion and His faithful love.
Based on Psalm 103.
18. Isaiah 40 call to worship
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Today we gather to place our hope in Him again. Let us worship the everlasting God.
Based on Isaiah 40.
19. Matthew 11 call to worship
Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest. Whatever you are carrying today, come and worship the One who gives rest to our souls.
Based on Matthew 11:28-30.
20. Romans 12 call to worship
Let us offer our lives to God as an act of worship. May our songs, prayers, thoughts and choices honor Him today and throughout the week ahead.
Based on Romans 12:1.
Responsive Call to Worship Examples
Responsive calls to worship allow the congregation to participate from the beginning of the service.
The leader can read the first line and invite the congregation to respond with the bold text.
21. God is good
Leader: God is good.
People: His faithful love endures forever.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
People: Let us worship Him together.
22. Come and worship
Leader: Come, all who are weary.
People: We come to find rest in God.
Leader: Come, all who are grateful.
People: We come to give thanks.
Leader: Come, people of God.
People: We come to worship.
23. Our help comes from God
Leader: Where does our help come from?
People: Our help comes from the Lord.
Leader: Who made heaven and earth?
People: The Lord our God.
Leader: Let us worship Him together.
24. God's love
Leader: Who can separate us from the love of God?
People: Nothing can separate us from His love.
Leader: In joy and in difficulty, God remains faithful.
People: We will trust Him and praise His name.
25. Give thanks
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
People: His love endures forever.
Leader: Let us remember all He has done.
People: And let us praise Him together.
26. God is our refuge
Leader: God is our refuge.
People: God is our strength.
Leader: God is with us in every circumstance.
People: Therefore we will not fear.
Leader: Let us worship the Lord.
27. We are God's people
Leader: We are not gathered as strangers.
People: We are the people of God.
Leader: We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
People: Together we come to worship.
28. A call to praise
Leader: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
People: We will praise the Lord.
Leader: With our voices, our hearts and our lives.
People: We will worship our God.
Call to Worship Examples About God's Faithfulness
29. God has been faithful
As we look back over the week, we can see moments of joy and moments of difficulty. Through all of them, God has remained faithful. Let us worship the One who never changes.
30. God keeps His promises
People may disappoint us and circumstances may change, but God remains faithful to His promises. Let us put our trust in Him and worship.
31. Faithful through every season
Whether this is a season of celebration, uncertainty, waiting or change, God is still God. His goodness has not changed. Let us worship Him together.
32. Remember what God has done
Before we ask God for anything today, let us remember what He has already done. Let us worship Him with thankful hearts.
33. The same God
The God who was faithful yesterday is with us today and will remain faithful tomorrow. Let us praise Him.
Call to Worship Examples About Grace
34. We come because of grace
We do not gather because we have everything right. We gather because God is gracious. Through Jesus, we are welcomed, forgiven and loved. Let us worship Him.
35. Grace for imperfect people
This church is not a gathering of perfect people. We are people who need grace, and God's grace is abundant. Let us worship the One who welcomes us.
36. God's mercy
God's mercy is greater than our failures and His grace is greater than our mistakes. Let us come before Him with humility and gratitude.
37. Nothing to prove
You do not need to impress God this morning. You do not need to prove that you belong. Come because Christ has already made a way for you. Let us worship.
Call to Worship Examples for Difficult Seasons
38. When the congregation is hurting
Some of us arrive today with heavy hearts. Some carry worries that nobody else can see. God knows every burden. Let us come before Him honestly and worship the One who is close to the brokenhearted.
39. When the future feels uncertain
We may not know what the coming days will bring, but we know the One who goes before us. Let us place our trust in God and worship Him together.
40. A call to worship after tragedy
Today we gather with many emotions. We bring our grief, our questions and our prayers before God. Even when words are difficult to find, we can come into His presence together.
41. When people are weary
If you are tired today, you are welcome. If you are discouraged, you are welcome. If your faith feels strong or fragile, you are welcome. Let us come to Jesus together.
42. Worship in the waiting
Waiting can be difficult, but waiting does not mean God is absent. Today we choose to trust Him even when we cannot see the whole picture. Let us worship.
Call to Worship Examples About Community
43. We worship together
Faith is personal, but we were never meant to follow Jesus alone. Look around you. These are brothers and sisters with whom we learn, worship, serve and grow. Let us worship God together.
44. Many people, one church
We come from different homes, different backgrounds and different weeks, but in Christ we are one people. Let us lift our voices together in worship.
45. Encourage one another
Scripture tells us to encourage one another. As we sing and worship today, remember that your voice is not only offered to God. It can also strengthen the people worshipping beside you.
46. Welcome everyone
Whether this is your first Sunday here or you have been part of this church for decades, we are glad you are here. Together, let us turn our attention toward God.
Call to Worship Examples About Mission
47. Worship that continues
Our worship does not finish when the music stops. It continues through the way we live, serve, forgive and love. As we begin today, let us offer our whole lives to God.
48. Gathered and sent
God gathers His people so that He can strengthen us and send us back into the world. Let us worship the God who calls us, equips us and sends us.
49. Be salt and light
Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light in the world. Today we gather to worship Him and to be reminded of the people He has called us to become.
50. A call to worship for any Sunday
Welcome, church.
Whatever your week has looked like, God has brought us together today.
Let us set aside our distractions, open our hearts to His Word and remember His goodness.
May our songs become prayers, may our prayers be sincere and may everything we do point toward Jesus.
Let us worship God together.
What Should You Say Before the First Worship Song?
A call to worship does not need to sound formal.
For many churches, something conversational works best:
"Good morning, everyone. It is great to have you with us today. Before we sing, let's take a moment to remember why we are here. God is good, He is faithful and He is worthy of our praise. Let's worship together."
You could also use a shorter introduction:
"Welcome, church. Let's stand together and worship God."
Or connect it with Scripture:
"Psalm 100 tells us to come into God's presence with joyful songs and thanksgiving. Let's do that together this morning."
The wording should feel natural for your congregation and the person leading the service.
How Long Should a Call to Worship Be?
A call to worship can be as short as 10 seconds or as long as a few minutes, but shorter is usually better.
Its purpose is to begin worship, not become another sermon.
A simple call to worship usually needs only three things:
- •A welcome or invitation
- •A reminder of who God is
- •An invitation to respond in worship
For example:
"Good morning, church. God has been faithful through another week and has brought us together again. Let's give Him our attention and our praise as we worship."
That is enough.
Does a Call to Worship Have to Come From the Bible?
No, but Scripture is one of the best places to find words for a call to worship.
The Psalms are particularly useful because many were written as invitations to worship.
Popular passages include:
- •Psalm 34
- •Psalm 46
- •Psalm 95
- •Psalm 96
- •Psalm 100
- •Psalm 103
- •Psalm 118
- •Psalm 121
- •Psalm 145
- •Psalm 150
- •Isaiah 40
- •Matthew 11:28-30
- •Romans 12:1-2
- •Hebrews 10:19-25
You can read a passage directly or use its theme as the basis for your own words.
What Is the Difference Between a Call to Worship and an Opening Prayer?
A call to worship invites the congregation to worship, while an opening prayer speaks directly to God.
For example, a call to worship might say:
"Come, let us worship the Lord together. He is faithful and worthy of our praise."
An opening prayer might say:
"Father, thank You for bringing us together today. Help us focus our hearts on You as we worship."
Many churches use both.
The worship leader might give a short call to worship, lead the congregation in the first song and then offer an opening prayer.
What Is a Responsive Call to Worship?
A responsive call to worship involves both the leader and congregation.
For example:
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
People: His love endures forever.
Leader: Let us worship the Lord together.
People: We will praise His name.
Responsive readings can work particularly well in traditional services, communion services and special occasions because they involve the congregation immediately rather than making them passive listeners.
How to Choose the Right Call to Worship
Try to connect your call to worship with the overall theme of the service.
If the sermon is about hope, begin with words about God's faithfulness.
If the service focuses on grace, remind people that they are welcomed by God rather than coming because they have everything together.
If the message is about mission, remind the congregation that worship prepares us to go back into the world.
For a service during a difficult season, it may be more appropriate to acknowledge people's grief or uncertainty rather than beginning with an overly cheerful introduction.
The goal is not to find impressive words.
The goal is to help people move from everything that happened before they arrived at church into a shared moment of worship.
Planning Your Church Service
A call to worship is often only the first element in a Sunday service.
Churches may also need to coordinate:
- •Opening prayers
- •Worship songs
- •Scripture readings
- •Announcements
- •Volunteer assignments
- •Offering moments
- •Sermon notes
- •Communion
- •Closing prayers
- •Benedictions
Keeping all of those pieces coordinated can become difficult when service details are spread across messages, spreadsheets and separate documents.
ChurchRaise helps ministry teams plan services together, organize volunteers and keep important service information in one place.
Plan your next worship service with ChurchRaise and give your team one place to organize everything for Sunday.